10x Feedback- • The use of graphics and charts, along with your own pictures, was an excellent way to give info on your video (using some UDL elements!). I love PowToon! • Students do indeed have a hard time struggling and digging deeper with difficult concepts. My fifth graders are the same way. Though it may come from too often getting what they want without having to work at it, I have to admit, I have caught myself far too often aiding that problem and coming to their rescue far too soon. By establishing a blended learning model where students construct their knowledge together and are assessed with authentic, project-based assessments, research says you have found a great way for students to be engaged and motivated to go deeper! • I noticed two of your students said they preferred not to work with computers. Did you probe any further to see the reasons behind this? Was it because they felt unsure about typing? Do the computers freeze up and waste too much time? Would they prefer using another device that could access the same material, such as an iPad or Smartphone? Seems like establishing a blended learning model will require some type of accommodation for them. • If I’m understanding correctly, it looks like the blended learning will all take place within the classroom. Do you see a benefit to potential using a flipped class model at all? I wonder if students would be able to see videos and do some practice work at home too so more time in class could be spent with digging deeper. • Allowing room for student choice and directing their learning through the rotations will help keep them focused and engaged! The strong pre-planned UDL strategies will help all learners too. Nice work! • Wow, excellent paper. The graphs and testing data make the paper phenomenal. • Your Diigo Outliner looks well organized, easy to view, and has lots of great resources! • I think “Works Cited” should say “References” for APA. You may want to change that in your video and paper.
Feedback I thought your video was complete and interesting to watch. I have not used Powtoon before and I might need to use it. Having the blended classroom does make good use of having two teachers in the classroom. Since I have learned about UDL and SAMR I have changed my thinking in the classroom. After seeing how the blended classroom worked in your classroom, I have incorporated it into one of my classes that I have assistant in. Your quote included in your video by Kathy Davison, “they hire brilliant students with excellent test scores and grades and then find out that they are so focused on getting the answers that they don’t actually know how to do what is essential-which is identifying what you don’t know, and then finding out who can help you get the answers. Instead they fake what they know”. I was told that it is better to say I will find answer for you, instead of making up an answer that makes no sense. But we learn to do that at a young age. Teaching our students at a young age not to do that is extremely important. Keeping your students moving from one activity to another will assist in keeping your students engaged. Having the stations set up for them to get right to work will keep unwanted behaviors low. Having engaged students will assist in their achievement also. I thought that your Blendspace was done very well and in your video you explained the situation accurate.
Rosalind, as you practice using the blended learning lesson plan form you might change your format of how the students will be grouped. The more students work in these stations the more you will see a change in their learning. Some students will need the teacher instruction more than others, some will be able to work independently, and some will need to be redirected until they are use to the routine. Finding the right technology for each lesson and within your stations will be key to keeping the others focused. Love your work. You do an incredible job always. I love the video with powtoon. I saw Vallory's and was like wow! I have already shared it with my co-workers. Thank you both for an engaging video.
Hi Ros, First, I have to say just how much I enjoyed your video presentation. I did not know about PowToon, but I plan to check it out. I liked it so much that I looked it up and discovered that this is an app that I can use because it is available for Android. Then I noticed the fees. Can I ask what version you are using? I think I need this app and that my students would enjoy using it for their presentations too. Thanks for making aware of the PowToon and its possibilities.
I am so glad that you chose to add that quote by Cathy Davidson, “brilliant students with excellent test scores and grades and then find that they are so focused on getting the right answers that they don’t actually know how to do what is essential—which is identifying what you don’t know, and then finding out who can help you get the answers.” I have read this quote before and found it applicable to my students as well. While you are experiencing this problem with your elementary students, I am experiencing it with my high school students. I often wonder if it is because they have such instantaneous access to answers on a daily basis that when they encounter a question that cannot be as easily answered that they do not know what to do. I applaud you for designing a project that addresses this issue. If my students came to me with the skills that you are instilling in your students, just imagine what they could accomplish from day one!
As we have previously discussed, I read the book, Blended, as well. I loved this book and found it filled with inspiration. Like you, I have implemented Blended Learning model into my classroom and have experienced success. While I am familiar with the Station Rotation format, I chose to use the Flipped format to meet my goals. After viewing your presentation, I can see that the Station Rotation model worked really well for your situation. I felt like you were bringing part of the book to life. I think some teachers confuse the use of technology in the classroom to mean the same thing as Blended Learning, but as we both know, that is not the case.
I like how you interviewed your students about how they would design a learning experience. What a powerful undertaking. This really gives them a voice and invests them in the project. To hear that they did prefer to make their own choices regarding their learning only proves what the literature is already telling us. I think your conclusion to use the Station Rotation model was right on target.
I found your chart of UDL barriers to be quite informative. The fact that you sat down and looked at the needs of your students and barriers to their success before implementing your ideas shows true dedication to your students and their learning outcomes.
I especially liked your chart that illustrated the characteristics of your students and their learning style, and then how each station in the model would meet their needs. This chart shows depth of planning and by having this plan you are more prepared to meet the needs of each individual student. Although my students do not have the special needs that your students have, I could still benefit from creating this type of chart for my own students grouped by learning styles and differentiated by level of difficulty; enriched, honors, etc. Thanks for the idea!
The way you use the SAMR model is clear and aligns so well with your project. I wish this class was not ending because I would like to hear more about how your project works with your students. I imagine that it will be a success. I have a question. Do you see yourself implementing the Blending Learning model with other units of study in the future? I can only imagine how you will inspire other teachers in your school to push the envelope and create an exciting learning environment for their students just like you have for yours. I want to go back to elementary school and become a member of your class. Oh, how you make learning fun!
Tracy, I am creating a geometry blended learning unit right now! A colleague and I have been making math videos all year and posting them on our web sites. I use these videos and other resources to create lessons in Google Classroom. We will again have three groups, one for self-paced digital lessons using our videos and other resources, one teacher station with hands on manipulatives, and a station for practice and projects. I think I can embed Blendspace into Google Classroom, and will do that to share resources. I won't set up classes in Blendspace this year because I am reluctant to put parents through yet another permission form. Next year I am hoping to get parent permissions for Blendspace, Assistments, Khan Academy, et al right off the bat in the fall. We have to stay in touch to compare notes!
I like the Powtoon for the video; cool to watch. I bet your kids would love it. I found your arguments about students guessing answers instead of using resources that are available compelling. Technology would be a great way to engage them.
I am impressed with all the work you have done. I'm wondering if you just add a step to some lessons and have students create a video to teach what they have learned or make an animation of the weather that would increase the SAMR level to the Redefinition also.
Hi Theresa, In the project station students have made videos as you suggest. It is a lot of fun to see them incorporate what we are learning into new products!
Thanks all for your feedback thus far. Vallory, I will change the paper to say references. That mistake is the result of working with a dying computer in the wee hours. I have my new Macbook now! As far as "flipping" the classroom, I have done that for students who are absent or away. I did try with the class, but fully one quarter of my students do not have computer access at home, and so I am reluctant to put those students at a disadvantage. Next year these same students will be in grade 6, and will be the first class to have their own Chromebooks to take home with them. Hopefully that access will trickle down to fifth in the next few years. In the meantime, I find that students love the freedom of getting their instruction in Google Classroom in my room independently and at their own pace. I get the laptops back again next week and will take full advantage of having them. It is hard sharing one laptop cart with over 30 classrooms, and so I am grateful for the opportunity to test out our hand me downs from the middle school.
Ros, Sadly, my collaboration with you is coming to an end. Here are things that I like, I wonder, and I wish... I like...YOU! No, seriously...I like how you challenge the thinking of your students, your colleagues, and your classmates at Lesley. Your feedback in the classes that I've received from you have been thoughtful and inspiring. I also LOVE your Powtoon! How creative! I am truly going to miss having you in my class. If you lived in Atlanta, I would INSIST you apply at my school. Your students are very lucky to have you as their teacher. I wonder if your students could benefit from collaborating with MS students as you teach 5th grade. It could be an informal buddy program where students could collaborate on projects using Google Classroom/Docs and also feel like they "know" someone" once they get into Middle School. It would also be a great way to get insight into what they're learning in MS to better prepare them (not that you have this issue). I think this could be a great way to also get information but from their peers. It would take a lot of work to plan the project, but maybe you could do it over the summer. I wish I could have read the book with you and Tracy. I think the book, Blended sounds like an awesome read!
I love your idea of collaborating with MS students! It has great potential for easing the transition into middle school, and also would give students the opportunity, in an appropriately sheltered way, to expand their personal networks beyond the classroom. The admiration is mutual. I have often thought it would be wonderful to hop on a plane to Atlanta and visit your class.
10x Feedback-
ReplyDelete• The use of graphics and charts, along with your own pictures, was an excellent way to give info on your video (using some UDL elements!). I love PowToon!
• Students do indeed have a hard time struggling and digging deeper with difficult concepts. My fifth graders are the same way. Though it may come from too often getting what they want without having to work at it, I have to admit, I have caught myself far too often aiding that problem and coming to their rescue far too soon. By establishing a blended learning model where students construct their knowledge together and are assessed with authentic, project-based assessments, research says you have found a great way for students to be engaged and motivated to go deeper!
• I noticed two of your students said they preferred not to work with computers. Did you probe any further to see the reasons behind this? Was it because they felt unsure about typing? Do the computers freeze up and waste too much time? Would they prefer using another device that could access the same material, such as an iPad or Smartphone? Seems like establishing a blended learning model will require some type of accommodation for them.
• If I’m understanding correctly, it looks like the blended learning will all take place within the classroom. Do you see a benefit to potential using a flipped class model at all? I wonder if students would be able to see videos and do some practice work at home too so more time in class could be spent with digging deeper.
• Allowing room for student choice and directing their learning through the rotations will help keep them focused and engaged! The strong pre-planned UDL strategies will help all learners too. Nice work!
• Wow, excellent paper. The graphs and testing data make the paper phenomenal.
• Your Diigo Outliner looks well organized, easy to view, and has lots of great resources!
• I think “Works Cited” should say “References” for APA. You may want to change that in your video and paper.
Feedback
ReplyDeleteI thought your video was complete and interesting to watch. I have not used Powtoon before and I might need to use it. Having the blended classroom does make good use of having two teachers in the classroom. Since I have learned about UDL and SAMR I have changed my thinking in the classroom. After seeing how the blended classroom worked in your classroom, I have incorporated it into one of my classes that I have assistant in.
Your quote included in your video by Kathy Davison, “they hire brilliant students with excellent test scores and grades and then find out that they are so focused on getting the answers that they don’t actually know how to do what is essential-which is identifying what you don’t know, and then finding out who can help you get the answers. Instead they fake what they know”. I was told that it is better to say I will find answer for you, instead of making up an answer that makes no sense. But we learn to do that at a young age. Teaching our students at a young age not to do that is extremely important.
Keeping your students moving from one activity to another will assist in keeping your students engaged. Having the stations set up for them to get right to work will keep unwanted behaviors low. Having engaged students will assist in their achievement also.
I thought that your Blendspace was done very well and in your video you explained the situation accurate.
Rosalind, as you practice using the blended learning lesson plan form you might change your format of how the students will be grouped. The more students work in these stations the more you will see a change in their learning. Some students will need the teacher instruction more than others, some will be able to work independently, and some will need to be redirected until they are use to the routine. Finding the right technology for each lesson and within your stations will be key to keeping the others focused. Love your work. You do an incredible job always. I love the video with powtoon. I saw Vallory's and was like wow! I have already shared it with my co-workers. Thank you both for an engaging video.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Yvonne. Flexible groupings all the way!
Delete10X Feedback:
ReplyDeleteHi Ros,
First, I have to say just how much I enjoyed your video presentation. I did not know about PowToon, but I plan to check it out. I liked it so much that I looked it up and discovered that this is an app that I can use because it is available for Android. Then I noticed the fees. Can I ask what version you are using? I think I need this app and that my students would enjoy using it for their presentations too. Thanks for making aware of the PowToon and its possibilities.
I am so glad that you chose to add that quote by Cathy Davidson, “brilliant students with excellent test scores and grades and then find that they are so focused on getting the right answers that they don’t actually know how to do what is essential—which is identifying what you don’t know, and then finding out who can help you get the answers.” I have read this quote before and found it applicable to my students as well. While you are experiencing this problem with your elementary students, I am experiencing it with my high school students. I often wonder if it is because they have such instantaneous access to answers on a daily basis that when they encounter a question that cannot be as easily answered that they do not know what to do. I applaud you for designing a project that addresses this issue. If my students came to me with the skills that you are instilling in your students, just imagine what they could accomplish from day one!
As we have previously discussed, I read the book, Blended, as well. I loved this book and found it filled with inspiration. Like you, I have implemented Blended Learning model into my classroom and have experienced success. While I am familiar with the Station Rotation format, I chose to use the Flipped format to meet my goals. After viewing your presentation, I can see that the Station Rotation model worked really well for your situation. I felt like you were bringing part of the book to life. I think some teachers confuse the use of technology in the classroom to mean the same thing as Blended Learning, but as we both know, that is not the case.
I like how you interviewed your students about how they would design a learning experience. What a powerful undertaking. This really gives them a voice and invests them in the project. To hear that they did prefer to make their own choices regarding their learning only proves what the literature is already telling us. I think your conclusion to use the Station Rotation model was right on target.
I found your chart of UDL barriers to be quite informative. The fact that you sat down and looked at the needs of your students and barriers to their success before implementing your ideas shows true dedication to your students and their learning outcomes.
I especially liked your chart that illustrated the characteristics of your students and their learning style, and then how each station in the model would meet their needs. This chart shows depth of planning and by having this plan you are more prepared to meet the needs of each individual student. Although my students do not have the special needs that your students have, I could still benefit from creating this type of chart for my own students grouped by learning styles and differentiated by level of difficulty; enriched, honors, etc. Thanks for the idea!
The way you use the SAMR model is clear and aligns so well with your project. I wish this class was not ending because I would like to hear more about how your project works with your students. I imagine that it will be a success. I have a question. Do you see yourself implementing the Blending Learning model with other units of study in the future? I can only imagine how you will inspire other teachers in your school to push the envelope and create an exciting learning environment for their students just like you have for yours. I want to go back to elementary school and become a member of your class. Oh, how you make learning fun!
Tracy, I am creating a geometry blended learning unit right now! A colleague and I have been making math videos all year and posting them on our web sites. I use these videos and other resources to create lessons in Google Classroom. We will again have three groups, one for self-paced digital lessons using our videos and other resources, one teacher station with hands on manipulatives, and a station for practice and projects. I think I can embed Blendspace into Google Classroom, and will do that to share resources. I won't set up classes in Blendspace this year because I am reluctant to put parents through yet another permission form. Next year I am hoping to get parent permissions for Blendspace, Assistments, Khan Academy, et al right off the bat in the fall. We have to stay in touch to compare notes!
DeleteI like the Powtoon for the video; cool to watch. I bet your kids would love it. I found your arguments about students guessing answers instead of using resources that are available compelling. Technology would be a great way to engage them.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with all the work you have done. I'm wondering if you just add a step to some lessons and have students create a video to teach what they have learned or make an animation of the weather that would increase the SAMR level to the Redefinition also.
Hi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteIn the project station students have made videos as you suggest. It is a lot of fun to see them incorporate what we are learning into new products!
Thanks all for your feedback thus far. Vallory, I will change the paper to say references. That mistake is the result of working with a dying computer in the wee hours. I have my new Macbook now! As far as "flipping" the classroom, I have done that for students who are absent or away. I did try with the class, but fully one quarter of my students do not have computer access at home, and so I am reluctant to put those students at a disadvantage. Next year these same students will be in grade 6, and will be the first class to have their own Chromebooks to take home with them. Hopefully that access will trickle down to fifth in the next few years. In the meantime, I find that students love the freedom of getting their instruction in Google Classroom in my room independently and at their own pace. I get the laptops back again next week and will take full advantage of having them. It is hard sharing one laptop cart with over 30 classrooms, and so I am grateful for the opportunity to test out our hand me downs from the middle school.
ReplyDeleteRos,
ReplyDeleteSadly, my collaboration with you is coming to an end. Here are things that I like, I wonder, and I wish...
I like...YOU! No, seriously...I like how you challenge the thinking of your students, your colleagues, and your classmates at Lesley. Your feedback in the classes that I've received from you have been thoughtful and inspiring. I also LOVE your Powtoon! How creative! I am truly going to miss having you in my class. If you lived in Atlanta, I would INSIST you apply at my school. Your students are very lucky to have you as their teacher.
I wonder if your students could benefit from collaborating with MS students as you teach 5th grade. It could be an informal buddy program where students could collaborate on projects using Google Classroom/Docs and also feel like they "know" someone" once they get into Middle School. It would also be a great way to get insight into what they're learning in MS to better prepare them (not that you have this issue). I think this could be a great way to also get information but from their peers. It would take a lot of work to plan the project, but maybe you could do it over the summer.
I wish I could have read the book with you and Tracy. I think the book, Blended sounds like an awesome read!
I love your idea of collaborating with MS students! It has great potential for easing the transition into middle school, and also would give students the opportunity, in an appropriately sheltered way, to expand their personal networks beyond the classroom.
DeleteThe admiration is mutual. I have often thought it would be wonderful to hop on a plane to Atlanta and visit your class.